How to Reheat Bread (2024)

This guide on How to Reheat Bread will teach you simple tips to revive bread that may be stale or old. With the proper techniques, you can make your leftover bread good as new again!

Just like this guide on How to Warm Tortillas, this post includes simple and easy tips for properly reheating loaves of bread!

Gone are the days of getting rid of bread once it gets dry or hard! If you've ever made homemade bread and been disappointed by the texture or flavor the next day, this guide will help. There are a handful of easy methods to revive your bread and avoid waste.

For the most part, these methods work best with crusty bread like Italian or French bread, sourdough, and similar loaves. Use these tips to learn the best way to have fresh bread again!

The Best Ways to Reheat Bread

How to Reheat Bread in an Oven

This is a great way to reheat bread, as this is how bread is baked in the first place. Reheating in the oven prevents drying out, burning, or hard texture.

Here's how to do it:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Take the loaf of bread and wrap it in some aluminum foil to retain moisture.
3. Bake on a baking sheet for anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes--baking time will depend on the efficiency of your oven.
4. Take out of the oven and serve warm, or let the bread cool to room temperature if necessary.

Bread can also be reheated in the toaster oven using the same method. Be sure to keep an eye on the bread as it reheats to prevent burning or overcooking.

How to Reheat Bread in an Air Fryer

If you need to get your stale bread revitalized quickly, doing so in the air fryer can cut down on time. You may run the risk of drying it out, so monitor is closely and air fry in short bursts.

Here's how:

1. Set the air fryer to 350 degrees F.
2. Place the bread in the air fryer basket. If desired, drizzle with a small amount of oil to give the crust an extra crunch,
3. Air fry for 2-3 minutes, until fragrant and heated through.
4. If needed, continue to air fry in 1-2 minute bursts until it reaches the desired temperature.

How to Reheat Bread in the Microwave

This method tends to be the quickest, though the results are the least similar to fresh baked bread. With a few extra techniques, the microwave can be a fine way to reheat your bread.

Here's how to reheat in the microwave:

1. Wrap slices of bread or the whole loaf in a damp paper towel. Place on a microwave safe plate.
2. Keeping the bread covered, microwave on low power (around 30% to 50%) for about a minute. Check the bread and microwave in ten second increments until desired temperature.

When it comes to the microwave, you'll only want to heat the bread until it's just warm. The damp paper towels will prevent the bread from drying out, but if you microwave the bread with moisture for too long, it can also get chewy.

Best Bread Reheating Tips

• If you're reheating bread from frozen, allow the bread to sit out until it reaches room temperature. This will allow the natural moisture that's frozen out of the bread to reincorporate.
• When possible, go for the low and slow method. Heating bread for too high a heat can dry it out or cause the bread to burn.
• For best results, you should actually avoid storing bread in your fridge. The cool temperature will cause the bread to go stale much faster.
• If you need to save bread, the freezer is your best bet. Be sure to wrap the loaf well to preserve moisture.
• The ideal way to store a crusty bread is out on the counter. Only slice what you need and leave the rest whole, then place cut side down on a cutting board to let the crust breathe. You can also keep it in a bread box or a brown paper bag.
• Though it's tempting to eat bread directly out of the oven, allowing it ten minutes to cool will allow moisture to move out from the center to the crust. This can result in a less tough exterior, and the bread should still be warm.
• If you find your bread dries out in the oven or air fryer, sprinkle the loaf with a bit of water before reheating.

Serving Suggestions

Wondering what's the best way to enjoy your reheated bread? Try it with one of these dishes!

Bread can be used to dip in your soup or chili, to slice for a crostini, or as a comforting side dish for a flavorful and satisfying meal.

• Old Fashioned Beef Vegetable Soup - A hearty bread pairs perfectly with this hot homemade soup.
• Veal Osso Buco Stew - When it comes to thick stews, using sturdy warm bread as a scooping utensil can take your meal to the next level!
• Tomato, Bacon, and Avocado Crostini - Need a fast snack or elegant side dish? Reheat a loaf of bread and cut it into crispy pieces to make this flavorful crostini.
• Roasted Sweet Bell Peppers - Use reheated bread with these bell peppers to make a sandwich or a quick snack.
• Homemade Marinated Olives - Top your bread with these delicious olives to create a simple but satisfying appetizer.

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